Caster-socket



(No Model.)

W. P. TRACY.

' GASTER SOCKET. No. 378,740. Patented Feb. 28, 1888.

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iUNrrhn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM P. TRACY, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

CASTER= SOCKET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 378.740, dated February 28, 1888.

Application filed March 24, 1887.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM P. TRACY, of Grand Rapids, in the county of Kentand State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Caster-Sockets; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention is an improved socket for casters.

It consists of a socket made out of one piece of sheet metal with a spring formed by longitudinal slots in the body of the metal. It has also a plug in the upper end which serves as a cap-piece.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a piece of sheet metal out of which the shell or socket is formed. Fig. 2 representsthesocket in side elevation. Fig. 3 shows a section on line at w of Fig. 2.

In the piece of sheet metal A are two longitudinal slots, a, extending, preferably, near to the end. The sheet metal of the required to length and width to form the shell or socket for the spindle of the caster-wheel is wound upon a former into cylindrical shape. The cappiecc B is formed with a circumferential groove, and when in place the sheet metal is pressed down into the groove to hold it se curely in place. The plug, which thus forms the metal cap, strengthens the shell and serves as a bearing for the upper end of the spindle. The strip, which isnarrow, as shown, between the two slots, is bent inwardly about the middle of its length, and forms a strong yielding stop to hold the spindle in place. It yields sufficiently to allow the head of the spindle to pass it when inserted. Opposite the bent portion of the strip I also-bend in the shell to form a corresponding rigid stop on the other side. The lower part of the shell is preferably made flaring, for convenience in inserting the casterspindle. The bent portion of the strip is shown at c. It should be bent in sufficiently to hold the spindle, but not to bear thereon hard enough to prevent the free turn- Serial No. 232,309. (No model.)

ing, and, being continuous with the metal of the shell at both ends, it has sufficientrigidity to form an effective stop without hearing forcibly against the spindle.

This socket or shell may be cheaply formed, being cut, as indicated, from sheet metal and then rolled upon a mandrel or former. It is also strong and durable, and the inwardlybent portion of the strip, acting in connection with the inwardly-bent portion of the shell shown at 1 on the opposite side, forms a very secure stop to retain the spindle in place.

I do not claim, broadly, a caster socket formed of a single piece of metal with a spring formed integral therewithfcombiued witlran interior stop or end bearing.

I claim as my invention 1. A shell for casters composed of a single piece of sheet metal provided with slots parallel to each other throughout their whole extent, whereby a strip of metal is left between them connected at each end to the body of the shell, the said material being swaged down, so as to present a curved spring surface on the interior of the shell adapted to hold the spindle by friction, combined with a cap-piece, substantially as described.

2. A shell for casters composed of a single piece of sheet metal, said sheet metal being provided with parallel slots to leave a strip of metal betweenthem connected at each end, the said material being swaged down to preinterior spur or projection upon the opposite side, and a cap-piece having a depression formed therein to receive and hold the upper end of the shell, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof Ihave signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

IVILLIAM P. TRACY.

\Vitnesses:

E. L'Wnnewoon, G. G. WITMAN.

sent a curved spring surface to the spindle, an 7 

